Cutter for tape-applying machines



Feb. 24, 1931. A. RIDDERSTROM CUTTER FOR TAPE APPLYING MACHINES Original Filed April 24,

' 30 vention, 10 is a fiat plate where Patented Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l ANDREW R RIDDERSTROM, F LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO PRIME MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF LYNN, CHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CUTTER FOR TAPE-APPLYING MACHINES Original application filed April 24, 1928, Serial No. 272,546. Divided and this application filed January 31, 1930. Serial No. 424,903.

The object of the present invention is to provide a cutter for tape-applying machines, such for example, as shown in my appl1cation Serial No. 272,546, filed April 24, 1928,

of which this application is a division although it is not limited to use in connection therewith, but is adaptable to other types of machines for applying flexible adhesive-coated tape.

My invention comprises a cutter for severing adhesive tape aftera length thereof been applied to the work, such cutter having a serrated edge, the points of which enter the tape when the cutter is brought against the same or the tape is brought against the cutter,

and the portions on either side of said point then sever the tape by cutting the same during the further relative movement between the same and the cutter.

An illustrative embodiment of m invention is shown in the accompanying rawings in which Figure 1 is a cutter;

2 Figure 2 is a transverse section of the same;

and

Figure 3 is a front elevation. In the particular drawings selected for more fully disclosing the principle of my 1ny the cutter may be bolted to the machine with which it is to be used and integral with which is a 'member which preferably is curved, being shown in the present instance as convex outwardly, or in the direction away from the point about which it is rotated when attached to a machine by a bolt passing through the hole 11, and concave inwardly. The inner concave surface 12 is smooth and the outer surface thereof is formed with alternating V-shaped ridges 13 separated by correspondingly shaped grooves 14, each ridge terminating in a sharp point 15. The lower edge 16 of each ridge from its terminal point 15 to the end 17 of the V-shaped groove between ad acent ridges, is a cutting edge. The lower portion of the inner surface of the cutter from the end 18 of the inner concave surface to the point 15 on the tip of the ridge may be 50 ground for sharpening the cutter.

plan view of my improved When the cutter is forced against the tape, or the tape is brought against the cutter, the points 15 first enter the tape and then the cutting edges 16 sever the same without the assistance of any co-operating cutter, or cutting edge. It has been found that knife edges and pivoted cutters of the prior art, even those of the scissors type in which one sharpened edge cooperates with another, are not effective in cutting adhesive tape employed in tape-applying machines, because such tape is coated with zinc oxide or like composition, and this coating soon renders the usual type of cutter inoperative. I have found in practice, however, that a spear-point cutter of the type shown herein, either having a serrated edge consisting of a number of spear points, or having a single spear point, is effective for severing tape of the heaviest kind, and is especially useful in machines of the type shown in my application above mentioned in which the tape is severed without stopping the machine and during the operation of the tapefeeding mechanism.

Having thus described an illustrative embodiment of my invention limiting the same thereto, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tape cutter consisting solely of a member having a smooth inner surface and a ribbed outer surface, the edge of said member being bevelled from the inner surface toward the outer surface to provide a serrated cutting edge, each said ridge terminating in a point and said cutter being constructed and arranged to sever a flexible adhesive-coated tape withoutthe use of a cooperating cutting member.

2. A tape cutter consisting solely of a memher having a smooth inner surface and an outer surface formed with triangular ridges, the edge of said member being bevelled from the inner surface toward the outer surface to provide a serrated cutting edge, each said ridge terminating in a sharp pointed tooth. and said cutter being constructed and arranged to sever a flexible adhesive-coated tape without the use of a co-operating cutting member.

3. A tape cutter consisting solely of a mem without, however.

her having a smooth inner surface and an outer surface formed with contiguous triangular ridges, each said ridge being separated from the next adjacent ridge bya V-sha ed groove, the edge of said member being veiled to provide a serrated cutting edge, and each said ridge terminating in a sharp-pointed tooth ANDREW R. RIDDERSTROM; 

